Biography

This band is something of a throwback. A power trio in the tradition of the Jimi Hendrix Experience or Cream making modern rock music that is at once controlled and ferocious. It’s not normal, but it feels familiar. As Seattle’s The Stranger put it, “Since their first effort way back in the early aughts they’ve been unable to write anything but drum and guitar driven, proggy rock songs, whose anachronistic feel is easily forgotten because they’re just so fun to listen to” [1]

Cracker Factory releases their fourth studio album “Chasing Ghosts” in June, 2015, which they describe as their most nuanced and controlled effort — the result, while retaining their adventurous musicianship, is their most accessible. The album has multiple guest artists that contributed their talents: Andrew Vait (Sisters), Tim Snider, Steve Scalfati (“The Late Late Show”), Dan Schmidt (Mts & Tunnels), Ayesha “MusicBox” Brooks and more.

From the opening riffs of “Don’t Drink the Water,” to the rootsy political “Mean Ol’ Uncle Sam” to the anthem “Heaven for Free,” this is a broad and confident exposition that shows off a band in their prime. The trio will be touring around the Northwest in support of the album release, and produced a music video for “Heaven for Free.”

RL Heyer, Shane Smith, and Denali Williams first played together in Cheney, WA in 1998. They took their name from “The Simpsons” (Milhouse’s dad worked at the Cracker Factory), and released their first album, “Deep Fried Basket of Love,” in 2003, “Mouth Breather” followed in 2007, “A sweaty, rusty album completely devoid of pop sheen (save for some ingenious hooks)” (The Stranger), which delivered “I know Two Notes,” a declaration of style and substance.

“I Know Two Notes” went on to become the band’s best-selling track, with Dennis Cook from the Dirty Impound saying, “From simple things great things sometimes emerge. This ditty from Seattle’s Cracker Factory is like a zen mantra from a sensei that loves Anvil and The Stooges.” [2]

In collaboration with animator Andrew Woods the band released a music video for “I Know Two Notes.” [3] Internet personality Mr. Weebl. shared the video and to date the video has had over 17,000 views and over 850 likes. Fans said, “And why precisely is this not viral? This song is amazing!”

In 2013 the band released “No One Knows We’re Here,” The album was their most successful project to date and one that clearly showed the musical growth that comes from playing countless shows in Cracker Factory and a broad constellation of other bands like Flowmotion, True Spokes, Thomas Mapfumo, Uncle Pooch, and many more. Despite all the musical chairs — or maybe because of them — the trio has stuck together for nearly two decades, always coming home to the Factory.

And the recipe is still working. The band was profiled on the TV show “Band in Seattle” in 2014 [4], and is booked for several high-profile festivals in summer 2015.

All of the leads up to this moment in time. Cracker Factory is three veteran musicians of high caliber releasing their strongest album yet; warrior poets of that sacred place we call the stage. Now if you will please excuse them, it’s time to rock.